111: Are you threatening me?

“A peach blossom tribulation?” Jiang Lan’s eyes widened slightly. “This… I hope you can enlighten me, sir.”

“Heaven’s will must not be revealed. I’ve said all I can, young friend,” Yao Banxian said. “However, though it is a tribulation, with your Luck, you should not be greatly affected.”

“In fact, not only will you not be affected, but it’s not impossible for the tribulation to transform into Luck. It all depends on your own fortune.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lan’s heart also settled considerably.

Yao Banxian’s words were enough.

But a peach blossom tribulation… now that he thought about it, Gu Yan’er was the only one he could consider a ‘peach blossom,’ right?

But what kind of tribulation could an ordinary person bring him?

Getting involved with demons?

Or something else?

Thinking it over and over, Jiang Lan couldn’t come up with a reason.

But Yao Banxian had already cut off the conversation, and he knew that even if he asked again, it would be useless.

Jiang Lan simply gave up the idea of pressing further and said to Yao Banxian:

“Thank you for your warning, Banxian. I will be careful.”

Yao Banxian smiled and waved his hand.

“Alright, if there’s nothing else, you should go face your tribulation.”

“Then Junior takes his leave.”

Jiang Lan stood up, bowed again, and then turned to leave.

At the entrance, Bao Jing was waiting.

The two went downstairs together and walked out of Miao Fa Pavilion.

Jiang Lan looked at Bao Jing and asked:

“What are your plans now? Are you still leaving the Demon Suppression Division?”

Bao Jing shook his head.

“I’m not leaving. Earlier, Little Monk was afraid he couldn’t control himself and would cause trouble again. Now that self-control is no longer an issue, I might as well stay in the Demon Suppression Division and receive some guidance from the Pavilion Master.”

“Alright, it’s your own business, you make your own decisions,” Jiang Lan said. “I don’t plan to retrieve that bamboo tube yet. Let’s talk after you’ve completely digested what’s inside. If I’m here then, just call me. If I’m not, you can go yourself.”

Bao Jing nodded.

He was still mostly grateful to Jiang Lan.

He also knew that without Jiang Lan, he might not have achieved his current outcome.

Perhaps, he would still be a Bone Forging Realm monk plagued by hysteria.

“If you don’t want to be on duty, go tell the Pavilion Master and have him promote you,” Jiang Lan said. “I’ve said all I can. I’m going back first.”

“Mhm.” Bao Jing nodded emphatically.

Jiang Lan didn’t linger, turning to leave.

Since Bao Jing decided to stay in the Demon Suppression Division, he would see him again later. There was no need to make the farewell so solemn.

Leaving Miao Fa Pavilion, Jiang Lan headed straight for Lin Hong Hall.

Soon, he arrived at the entrance of Lin Hong Hall.

The hall door was closed, and the faint sound of women talking could be heard from inside.

Jiang Lan knocked on the door, then pushed it open and entered.

Inside Lin Hong Hall, three women were seated.

All were dressed in casual clothes.

The one in the middle had a clear and beautiful face, like a lotus emerging from water. Though she wore no makeup, she was still pleasing to the eye.

As for the two on the side, while also quite attractive, there was a heroic spirit between their brows, clearly honed through many life-and-death battles.

Presumably, these two were Zhan Shiliu and Slayer Nineteen, arranged by Qiu Rang.

As for the one in the middle, who else could it be but Gu Yan’er?

Seeing Jiang Lan enter the room, Gu Yan’er stood up, her face filled with pleasant surprise:

“Benefactor, you’re back!”

Jiang Lan glanced at her, not speaking immediately, but instead waved his hand at the two Demon Slayer Guards.

“I’ll have a few words with her.”

The Demon Slayer Guards were very sensible. Hearing Jiang Lan’s words, they immediately understood what he meant, stood up, bowed to Jiang Lan, and walked past him, exiting the room.

The one behind even closed the door behind her.

Once the door was shut, Jiang Lan looked at Gu Yan’er and asked:

“Yu Zhi told me you were looking for me?”

“Benefactor…”

“Just speak directly if you have something to say,” Jiang Lan interrupted Gu Yan’er.

He wasn’t interested in hearing thanks.

Gu Yan’er paused, then came before Jiang Lan and reached out her hand.

It seemed she intended to unbutton Jiang Lan’s clothes.

Jiang Lan’s eyes widened.

In broad daylight, was this appropriate?

He grabbed Gu Yan’er’s hand, “I already said, just speak directly if you have something to say.”

Gu Yan’er’s almond-shaped eyes immediately became misty.

Jiang Lan felt a headache coming on.

Indeed, matters of love were not suitable for him.

It would have been better to give that madam more silver before, just to have her reserve Gu Yan’er for him.

Now, he was at a loss as to what to do.

“If you cry, you’re going back to Chun Quan Courtyard.”

Gu Yan’er quickly wiped the corner of her eye with her other hand.

“I won’t cry!”

Jiang Lan sighed helplessly.

“Can you speak now?”

Gu Yan’er was silent for a long time, seemingly hesitant to speak.

Seeing this, Jiang Lan said, “Just say whatever you want, and you can ask for anything you desire. After all, I took your virginity. If the request isn’t excessive, I will grant it.”

“I…” Gu Yan’er bit her lower lip hard, “I want to avenge my father!”

“Avenge him?” Jiang Lan raised an eyebrow. “I heard from that madam before that you are the daughter of a criminal official. Who do you want to take revenge on? The person who harmed your father?”

“Mhm.” Gu Yan’er nodded.

“A political rival?”

Gu Yan’er hesitated for a moment, then shook her head, indicating it wasn’t.

Jiang Lan paused.

“Can you speak about it here?”

Gu Yan’er shook her head again.

Jiang Lan had a faint suspicion in his heart.

“Tsk… Come home with me.”

With that, Jiang Lan didn’t dally, directly pulling Gu Yan’er out of Lin Hong Hall.

Outside the door, Zhan Shiliu and Slayer Nineteen were still standing.

Jiang Lan ordered:

“You two can go back first. Just come tomorrow at Chen Shi.”

“Yes!”

The two women responded in unison… At Jiang Lan’s home.

Sitting on a chair, Jiang Lan looked at Gu Yan’er before him.

“Now, tell me, who do you want me to kill? The current Emperor?”

“Thump!”

Upon hearing this, Gu Yan’er knelt directly on the ground, seemingly suppressing tears.

“Yes, if you can help me avenge him, I am willing to be your servant for all my lives.”

“Tsk…”

Jiang Lan clicked his tongue.

Actually, he had already guessed it.

If Gu Yan’er’s father was truly an official, then for Gu Yan’er to seek revenge, if not against a political rival, it could only be against the Emperor.

But Jiang Lan himself wasn’t someone wholeheartedly loyal to the monarch and serving the country.

In his opinion, as long as the people around him could live well, that was enough.

As for the country… to be honest, he truly had no special sense of belonging to Great Yan.

However, even so, he couldn’t possibly kill the Emperor just because of a single word from Gu Yan’er.

But from his understanding, Gu Yan’er wasn’t a fool either.

Since she brought this matter up to him, she must have thought it through carefully.

“Tell me, why do you think I would help you kill the Emperor?”

Gu Yan’er lowered her head.

“I’ve heard about your deeds these past few days. I truly had no other choice but to boldly try. If you think it’s out of line, just strike me down with a sword, and I will have no complaints.”

A dangerous glint flashed in Jiang Lan’s eyes.

“Are you… threatening me?”